Method of controlling burners and apparatus therefor



Oct. 26 1926. 1,604,524

J. M. LYNSKEY METHOD OF CONTROLLING BURNERS AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed Feb. 29, 19221 3 Sheets-Sheet l 7 ATTORNEY Get. 26 1926. Lfnz@ J. M. LYNsKr-:Y

METHOD OF CONTROLLING BURNERS AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed Feb. 29, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,A TTORNEY Oct. 26 1926. 1,604,524

J. M. LYNsKEY METHOD OF CONTROLLING BURNERS AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed Feb. 29, 1924 3 sheets-sheet 5 IN VEN TOR A TTORNE Y Patente'd Oct. 26, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH M. LYNSKEY, OF EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS TO SOCONY BURNER CORPORATIONLOF NEW YORK, N. Y., A COR- PORATION OF DELAWARE.

METHOD OF (IONTROLLINl BURNERS AND APPARATUS THEREFOR.

Application led February 29, 1924.v Serial No. 695,910.

My invention relates to a method of heating furnaces and the like, and more particularly relates to a method, involving the burning of liquid hydrocarbons, of heating steam, hot air, or hot water furnaces or generators, or the like, for heating or power purposes, and to a liquid fuel burner and to burner controlling mechanism suitable for use incarrying out this method.

'Ihe principal obiect of my invention .is to provide automatic burner control mechanismwhich is responsive to furnace conditions to start'and to stop a burner, andvto provide automatic Isafety mechanism which controls and shuts 0E the burner whenever there is a failure of proper ignition, or

when the fuel supply to the burner is not taken care of properly; and to provide means for preventing the self-starting of the burner after a safety shut down so that personal attention is required to restore the burner into self-starting condition.

Other objects of my invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter,

My invention accordingly consists in the several steps, the relation to each of the vothers thereof, in the features of constructions, combinations of elements and arrange-- ment of parts, which will be exemplified in the method and construction hereinafter set forth and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims that follow.

In order that a clearer understanding of my invention may be had, attention is hereby directed to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and illustrating one possible embodiment -of my invention. Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a diagrammatical elevation of a lfurnace, and burner apparatus, burner control apparatus, and draft regulating apparatus, all embodying my invention, associated therewith, a portion of the furnace being broken away yto moreV clearly show the burner; Fig. 2 is an enlarged diagrammatical eleyation of certain of the control parts, some of several views of the drawings.

This is a companion application with one 30 filed by me on even date herewith, Serial No. 695,911, wherein I have disclosed a method of heating furnaces, and the like,

preferably by means of a liquid fuel burner,

and apparatus therefor, and in said appli- 95 cation I have claimed the method and apparatus for heating as distinguished from the burner control features.

In carrying out my heating method, I place in the fire box 1 of the furnace 2 to 10 be heated a liquid hydrocarbon burner 3 in such position that the flame ofthe burner is properly directed toward or against the steam, hot water, or hot air retort or generator to heat the same inthe manner desired. The burner preferably supplies a completely combustible mixture, and the furnace is equipped with a suitable flue pipe 4 through which the products of combustion may escape. This iue, however, is blocked by an inserted damper device 5 which automatically maintains the pressure in the fire box at just below atmospheric pressure and thus .serves to prevent the escape of hot products from the furnace until 85 substantially all their effective heat has been given up' to the generator of the furnace.

`This damper device comprises a conical tube or pipe 6 rigidly secured within the 90 pipe 4.. A damper late 7 swings at the end of the conical mem er 6, to open and close the passage therethrough in response to dif-V fer-ences in -pressure on the opposite Sides of' the plate.- Plate 7 is secured to a shaft 8 95 which is mounted-to revolve freely` in' bush'- ings 9 supported on the pipe 4, and at one end this shaft carries a balancing lever 10. The damper 7 is balanced by dropping a certain quantity of shot, or the like, into a container 11 secured to one end of lever 10. Preferably the damper 7 is so balanced that it will be in equilibrium when the pressure in the lire box of the furnace is just below atmospheric pressure.l Should this pressure increase the damper opens, with the result that the pressure decreases; and should this pressure decrease the damper closes, thus allowing the pressure to build up.

The burner comprises a vertically disposed burnerl tube 12 provided near its upper end with a plurality of apertures 13 which are in open communication with ,the interior of the lire box. On., the upper end of the tube is mounted an annular combustion head 14, which-has an outwardly flaring chamber, and a diffusing and retarding plate 15, provided with a plurality of perforations 16, is seated in the upper end of head 14. A deflecting disc-like plate 17 is supported directly above. but at some distance from, the apertured plate 15, as by being mounted on a. spacing rod or standard 18, which is carried by the member 15. Plate 17 is preferably reversible on the spacer 18.. In the lower end of tube 12 is mounted an annular tapered nozzle 19, which increases the velocity of an air current flow'- ing therethrough without restricting the flow, and at this end the tube 12 is .supported by an elbow pipe 20. The other endof elbow 20 is connected with one end of a conduit or pipe 21 which extends into the furnace and is connected with a motor driven fan blower 22. which produces a low pressure air flow-through the burner. The forward partsof the burner are adapted to be supported'in suitable position in the fire box of the furnace, as by means of suitable lugs or supports such as 23. and in such position that the flame of the burner will play in-the desired manner toward or against the parts of the furnace intended to be heated.

24 is a constant level liquid fuel tank which receives liquid fuel, such as hydrocarbon oil, from a suitable source of fuel supply through a pipe 25, and delivers the fiuid through pipe 26 into a valve chamber 27. A pipe 28 having` a valve 28 leads from valve 27 into another valve chamber 29. The

vliquid fuel is adapted to drop from valve 29 through pipe 30 and an intervening air space into a screened funnel 31 in the upper the air flow through this throat draws in liquid fuel from the end of pipe 35, and will spray it upwardly with atomizing eect.

Pipe 36 connects with a source of water supply (not shown) and leads to a valve 37 from which a pipe 38 leads to another valve 39 which discharges into a screened funnel- 40 at the end of a pipe 41 which extends downwardly, then across into the furnace, then upwardly, then transversely into the tube 12 and ends just over the end of pipe 35. The air flow through the burner tube draws in water from the end of the pipe 41, atomizing and mixing this water with the mixture of atomized fuel and air to make a denser mixture and slowing combustion. lVater is used only with oils having boiling points below that of kerosene-300 to 570 degrees Fahrenheit. The water is used in quantities sutlicient to prevent accumulation of carbon.

42 is a pipe connected with a suitable gas supplyfnot shown) and leads to an adjustable glycerin valve 43 of usual form, including an adjustment screw 44. Pipe 4 5 extends from this valve into the furnace, then upwardly, and then 'transversely into the burner tube 12 near its upper end. This pipe maintains a burning gas torch in the burner tube for a period of time when the burner `starts in operation and then'the glycerin valve 43 acts to shut ofl' this torch. The burner, however` continues to operate. A smaller pipe 46 leads from the pipe 42 into the burner' tube 12 near its upper end, to maintain a permanent pilot gas flame in the tube. This pipe may include a hand valve 47. A

48 is a device associated with the furnace which moves a plunger 49 upwardly and downwardly in response to increase and decrease in steam pressure or in temperature, in the furnace generator. and may be of any usual construction. The upper end of plunger 49 engages a lever 50 which may be and which may be provided with an adjustable counterbalance weight 53. A rod 54 is mounted intermediate its ends on the rotatable valve operating member 55 of the water valve 37, and at one end is connected with the lever 50 by means of connecting link 56. A rod 57 is connected at its lower end with the sliding valve stem or plunger 58 of the oil valve 29. and at its upper end rod 57 has a pin and slot connection, as at 59, with the rod 54. Plunger 58 is weighted, as at 60. The plunger 61 of the glycerin gas valve 43 has an annular shoulder portion 64 at its upper end. Suspended from rod 54 is a strip j' 65, which at its lower end carries two pivoted latch members 66 which are adapted to engagethe plunger 61fr-om' opposite sides,

whereby the plunger .is raised upwardly when the rodv 54 arises, and the valve is -pivoted, as at 51. to a stationary bracket 52,

ioI

opened. These latches 66, however, have heel portions 67 which, when the strip 65 vrises to a certain point, strike against `starelease, however, the closing Vof this valve is delayed for the time required for the glycerin to flow back into its reservoir, as is well understood, this time being subject to regulation by adjustinglthe valve screw 44. Pins 68 may be provided on a casting` 68 secured in stationary position to a suitable wall, post. or bracket, which it is not deemed necessary to show in the drawings.

. The sliding pluri-(rer 69 of the safety oil valve 27 has a disc-like weight 70 at its upper end. 71 is a bracket secured to the valve casing 72, and on this bracket is pivotally mounted a lever 73. One end 'of lever 73 is normally seated beneath the member 70 to hold the plunger 69 raised and the valve 27 open. The other end vof lever 73 is connected with a switch 74 in the circuit to the fan blower motor. Suspended from lever 73 by meansI of rod 75 is a receptacle 76. An inclined pipe 77, communicatingat one end with an interior lowermost portion of the burner near its front, as at 78, leads into this receptacle, so that whenever a predetermined quantity of liquid, such as fuel or water, flows from the burner into this receptacle, the weight of the fluid will causetthe lever 73 to be tilted so as to withdraw from beneath the member 70,` whereupon the plunger 69 drops and cuts off the feed of fuel through the valve chamber 27. Such movement of lever 7 3 is also adapted to open the switch 74 to stop the fan blower and its motor. The-lever 73 may be provided with a counter balance arm 79 having an adjustable weight 80,. whereby ythe device may be regulated to operate in response to various weights of fluid received in the receptacle y7 6. j

81 and 82 are electrical conductors leading from a suitable source of electrical current (not. shown), through a rheostat 83, to a switch 84; and from this switch circuit wires 85 and 86 lead to switch 74 from which conductors 87 and 88 lead to a motor 89 which cally the starting and stopping of the fan blower and the feed of air to the burner in response to furnace conditions, such as pressure or temperature, whichever inftuence the movement of the plunger 49.

The outer end of arm 73 is connected 'with switch 74 in such a way that when this arm is in normal position with its inner end holding up the valve plunger 69, the switch 74 will be closed, but when the arm 73 has become tilted by reason of the weight of fluid in the tank 76, the switch 74 will be opened and the circuit to the motor 89 will be broken... l

i l also provide a valve 91 in the water pipe 38 and connect a rod or key 93 with this valve and with the member 70 on the plunger 69 of valve 27 in such a way that when the member 70 is in its normal raised position, with the valve 27 open, the valve 91 will be open, but when the member 70 is released by the tilting of. the arm 73, rthe dropping of the member 70 will move the member 92 to close the valve 91 and thus will shut off the water supply to the burner.

The normal operation of the burner is as follows: The switch 74 is closed and the oil and water valves 27 and 91 are open until the safety mechanism operates to close these valves and to open the switch. 1f the fur-Y nace boiler or generator is comparatively cool, the plunger 49 of the device 48 is in lowered position, and consequently the lever 54 is in raised position and its heel portion 90 is in lowered position. Accordingly, the switch 84 is closed; the water valve 375.is open; the liquid fuel valve 29 is open and the gas torch valve 43 4is open. The fan blower 22 delivers an air flow thrdugh the conduit 21, elbow 20. through the ltapered nozzle 19 and past the pipe ends 35 and 41 with sufficient velocity to draw in and atomize the liquid fuel and water from the ends of these pipes. The ,eas dame at the torch 45 commingles with this mixture and ignites and partially vaporizes the mixture as it passes into the combustion head 14.

This burning mixture strikes the diffusing plate 15, which retards the flow of the mixture andcauses further intermixing thereof, while the vaporization of unvaporized fuel continues under the inHue'nce of the mixing and heating. The burning mixture discharges through the apertures 16 of the member 15 and strikes against the deflected plate 17, which causes further intermixing of the mixture and completes the vaporization of all unvaporized fuel, and at the same time impedes to a certain extent the direct forward travel of the mixture through the burner. `Members 15 and 17 comb-ine to maintain the velocity of flow through the burner at a rate which is sulflcientlv slow to insure full and complete vaporization of the fuel and intermixing of the elements. and 'roinsure the production of a completely lcombustible mixture.

The arrangement of the alvcerin ,das valve 43 is such that just after the plunger 61 has been raised by movement of the rod 54 to a sufficient height to completely open the valve, the pawls 66 are tripped and the plunger 61 1s released, whereu on the valve closes slowly as the glycerin of t e valve Hows vback into its reservoir. The time required for the ports of this valve to close is governed by the usual valve adjusting screw 44. The torch 45 will thus be shut off automatically after a certain length of time from the time the furnace generator temperature Qr pressure has reached a predetermined low stage. By this time, however, the contents within the lire box have become heated very hot by the burner flame. The passage of the mixture through the burner tube 12 draws the hot gases from the fire boxthrough the require person ports 13 of the burner, and these products mixed with the mixture "which is flowing through the tube and heat it sufhciently to start the va orization 'of the fuel and to aid 1n causing t e same to become ignited.

The burner continues to operate in this mann-er until the pressure or tem erature of the furnace generator has reac ed the predetermined high stage established for Iautomatically shutting down the burner. When this occurs the plunger 49 will have raised to a certain extent and the rod 54 will have been lowered proportionately.

The burner apparatus is so adjusted that' when the rod 54 reaches this lowered position, the lunger 58 of the oil valve 29 will have Iiowered suiiciently to close this valve and to shut off the oil supply to the burner; the water valve 37 will have turned sufficiently 'to cut off the water supply to the burner; and the heelportion 90 of the rod 54 will have raised suiiciently to open the switch 84, thus stopping the blower. This downward movement of rod 54 brings the latches 66 into engagement with the plunger 61 of the gas torch valve 43, so that when the rod 54 rises again, the plunger 61 will be( raised and a supply of gas will be' delivered at the torch when the burner starts to operate a ain. When the furnace conditions are suc that the plunger 49 is lowered to a predetermined point, the rod 54 and its heel portion 90 will have moved and actuated the switch 84 to close the circuit' to the blower, and to open the gas, water and fuel supply to the burner. A `pilot gas flame burns continually at the pi e46.

When the safety contro device has operated, the motor circuit will be broken at the switch 74, the li uid fuel' circuit will be 'closed at the valve 2 and the water circuit will be sh'ut oi at the valve 91. Thus, no matter how the rod 54 and its heel portion 90 may be moved, there can be no water, nor fuel, nor electric current supplied to the burner until the receptacle 76 is emptied and the Ylever 73 and weight 70 restored into normal operating position. These adjustments a attention. j

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shut o' at the hand valve 39, and no other adjustments are necessary.

Various grades of hydrocarbon oils may be used 1n this burner. To change .from one grade of oil to another, it is preferable to make an alteration either in the shape of the deflecting plate 17 or in its distance from the member 15, or both. For instance, for the light oils a delecting plate shaped and positioned as shown i-n Fig. 3 is suitable, while for a heavier oil the deflective plate is preferably inverted on the spacer 18, as shown in Fig. 4. By these adjustments, the temperature in the combustion head may be increased or decreased at will, since the temperature increases in accordance with the rate of velocity of flow through the combustion head, and the sha e of the defiecting late and its distance rom the member 15 lnuences this velocity. The size and number of holes 16 in the member 15 also inuence this velocity and temperature. The glycerin valve adjusting screw 44 should 'also be adjusted for different grades of oil any point within this range. The consumpl tion ma be regulated by adjusting the valve 28 an regulating the s eed of the fan blower, which may be rea ily accomplished through the rheostat 83. ln practice, it has been found that the variable range of oil consumption for any grade of oil extends.

from a certain minimum amount per unit of time to two times'said amount for the sameunit of time.

rlhis burner may readily be installed ordinary household furnace of the steam, hot air, or hot water type. To install the in an burner, the customary grate bars and ash pit door are removed. The burner is set in the center of the furnace with the various burner apparatus pipes projecting through the ash pit opening. This opening is then bricked in solid. Dry sand, or similar material,\ is now packed around the burner parts within the furnace to within one-half inch of the openings 13 in the burner tubel and sloping down to the bottom'of the water leg (or its equivalent) of the boiler or generatbr of the furnace. This packed sand deadens the sound caused by burner combustion. n

Preferably the oil reservoir 24 is so located that the level of the oil in the reservoir is at least inches above the oil outlet as a matter of language, might be said'to fall therebetween.

device positioned to engage and trip said What I claim is:

1J ln an apparatus of the `characterdei scribed, the combination with a furnace, having a boiler, and a burner therefor and a gasl supply conduit to the burner, of a self-closing valve in said conduit, said valve including a plunger having an eXposed shoulder portion, an arm, means for moving said arm in response to changes in boiler pressure conditions, a latchdevice movable with said arm into engagement with the shoulder of said plunger, whereby said plunger is raised upon upward movement of said arm, and a vtrip latch when said arm is elevated to a certain position, to release said valve plunger for the selfgclosing of the valve.v

2 llnan apparatus of the character described, the combination with a furnace having a boiler, and a burner therefor and a gas supply conduit to the burner, of a self-closing valve in said coiiluit, saidv'alve including a plunger having an exposed shoulderportion, an arm, means for moving said arm in response to changes in boiler-pressure conditions, a latch device movable with said arm into engagement with-the shoulder of said plunger, whereby said plunger is raised upon upward movement of said arm, a trip 'device positioned to engage and trip said latchwhen said arm is elevated toa certain position, to releasesaid valve plunger for the self-closing of the valve, a liquid fuel supply conduit to the burner, a self-closing valve in said conduit, and a link attached to said valve and having a in and l'slot connection with said arm, w ereby movement of said arm in` certain' positions effects corresponding movementof said link to open and to close the valve, and whereby movement of said arm in otherpositions is unaccompanied by movementof said link andthe valve remains closed. l

3. lnan apparatus of the character described, the combination with a furnace having a boiler', and an oil burner for heating the' furnace and a yliquid fuel supply conduit to the burner,'of an arm, means associated with the furnace for moving said arm in response to changes in pressure conditions in the boiler, a self-closing valve in said conduit, a link attached to said valve and having a pin and slot connection with said arm, whereby movement of said arm'in certain positions effects corresponding movement of said link to open and to close the valve, and whereby movement of said arm in other positions is unaccompanied by movement of said link and the valve remains closed, a water supply pipe to said burner, a valve in saidpipe, and said arm being pivotally mounted on said valve, whereby pivotal movement of said arm opens and closes said valve in vaccordance with the arms movement.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a furnace having a boiler,.and 'a burner therefor and a gas supply conduit to the burner, of a selfclosing valve in said conduit, said valve including a plunger having an exposed shoulder portion, an arm, means for moving said arm in response to changesin boiler pressure conditions, a latch device movable with said arm into engagement with the shoulder of said plunger, whereby said plunger is raised ,upon upward movementof said arm, a trip device positioned to engage and trip said latch when said arm is elevated to a certain position, to release said valve plung- -er for the self-closing of the valve, a water supply pipe to said burner, a valve Ain said pipe, and said arm being pivotally mounted on said valve, whereby pivotal movement of said arm-opens and closes said valve in accordance with the arms movement.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a furnace hav- .ing a boiler, and a burner therefor and a gas lsupply conduit to the burner, of a self-closing valve in said conduit, said'valve including a plunger having an exposed shoulder portion, an arm, means for moving said arm in response to changes in boiler pressure conditions, a latch device movable with /said arm into engagement with the shoulder of said plunger, whereby said plunger is raised upon upward movement of said arm, and a trip device positioned to engage and trip said latch when said arm is elevated to a certainposition, to release said yvalve lunger lfor the self-closing of the valve, a iquid fuel supply conduit to the burner, a selfclosing valve in said conduit, a link attached to said valve and having a pin and slot connection with said arm, whereby movement of said arm in certain positions effects corresponding movement of said link to open and to close the valve, andwhereby movement of said arm in other positions is unaccompanied by movement of said link an'd the valve remains closed, a water supply pipe to said burner, a valve in said"L pipe, and said arm being pivotally mounted on said valve, whereby pivotal movement of said arm opens and closes said valve in accordance with the arms movement.

6. In 'an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a furnace having a boiler, and an oil burner for heating the furnace and a liquid fuel supply conduit to the burner, of an arm, means associated with the furnace for moving said arm in response to changes in pressure conditions in the boiler, a self-closing valve in said conduit, a link attached to said valve and having a pin and slot connection with said arm, whereby movement of said arm in certain positions effects corresponding movementof said link to open and to close the valve, and whereby movement of said arm in other positions is unaccompanied by movement of said link and the valve remains closed, a motor for said burner, an electrical ycircuit therefor, a switch in said circuit, and a lost-motion connection between said switch and said arm, whereby movement of said arm into one position opens said switch and movement of said arm into another position closes said switch, and whereby said arm may move through intermediate positions without changing the condition of said switch.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, they combination with a furnace having a boiler, and a burner therefor and a gas supply conduit 4to the burner, of a selfclosingvalve in said conduit, said valveincluding a plunger having an exposed shoulder portion, an arm, means for moving said arm in response to changes in boiler pressure conditions, a latch device movable with said arm into engagement with'the shoulder of said plunger, whereby saidv plunger is raised upon upward movement of said arm, a trip device positioned to engage and trip said latch when said arm is elevated to a certain position, to release said valve plunger for the self-closing of the valve, a motor for said burner, an electrical circuit therefor, a switch in said circuit, and a lost-motion connection between said switch and said arm, whereby movement of said arm into one position opens said switch and movement of said arm into another position closes said switch, and whereby said arm may move through intermediate ositions without changing the condition o said switch.

8. In an apparatus of the character described; the combination with a furnace having a boiler, and a burner therefor and a gas supply conduit to the burner, of a selfclosing valve in said conduit, said valve including a plunger having an exposed shoulder portion, an arm, means for moving said arm in response to changes in boiler pressure conditions, a latch device movable with said arm into engagement with the shoulder of said plunger, whereby said plunger is raised upon upward movement of said arm, a trip device ositioned to engage and. trip said latch w en said arm is elevated to a certain position, to release said valve plunger for the self-closing of the valve, a liquid fuel supply conduit to the burner, a self-closin valve in said conduit, a link attached to'sai valve and having a pin and slot connection with said arm, whereby movement of said arm in certain positions effects corresponding movement of saidl link to open and to close the valve, and whereby movement of said arm in other positions is unaccompanied by movement of said link and the valve remains closed, a motor for said burner, an electrical circuit therefor, a switch in said circuit, and a lost-motion connection between said switch and said arm, whereby movement of said arm into one position opens said switch and movement of said arm into another position closes said switchfand whereby said arm may .'move through intermediate positions without changing the condition of said switch.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a furnace having a boiler, and a burner therefor and a gas supply conduit to the burner, of a selfclosing valve in said conduit, said valve including a plunger having an exposed shoulder portion, an arm, means for moving said.

arm in response to changes in boiler pressure conditions, a latch device movable with, said arm into engagement with the shoulder of said plunger, whereby said plun er is raised upon upward movement of sai arm, a trip device positioned to engage and trip said latch when said arm is elevated to a certain position, to release said valve plunger for the self-closing of the valve, a liquid fuel supply conduit to the burner, a selfclosing valve in said conduit, a link attached to said valve and having a .pin and slot connection with said arm, whereby` movement of said arm in certain positions eEects corresponding movement of said link to open and to close the valve, and whereby movement of said arm in other positions is unaccompanied by movement of said link .and the valve remains closed, a water supply pipe to said burner, a valve in said ipe, and said arm being pivotally mounte onsaid valve, whereb ivotal movement of said arm opens an -c oses said valve in accordance with the arms movement, a motor for' said burner, an electrical circuit therefor, a switch in said circuit, and a 10st-motion connection between said switch and said arm, whereby movement of said arm into one p0- sition opens said switch and movement of said arm into another position oloses said switch, and whereby said arm may move through intermediate positions Without changing the condition of said switch.

This specification signed this 25th day of February, 1924.

JOSEPH M. LYNSKEY. 

